The Lethbridge Artists Club (LAC) has chosen a creative way to celebrate its 80th anniversary, its artists, and significant members of this community. The Club asked citizens of southwestern Alberta to suggest people who they thought should be acknowledged for their contributions to the community. This recognition took the form of sketches by many members of the club of the thirty nominees. and twenty-one extraordinary portraits were created.

Judges from the community chose nine artworks and a ‘peoples’ choice’ vote selected a tenth and these were displayed in Claresholm, Pincher Creek, Cardston, and Coaldale before arriving at the Galt Museum. The artwork will be on exhibit there from May to October where more people can enjoy the images and vote for their favourite. Winners chosen through voting and through formal judging will be announced during a reception at the Galt in August.

The LAC started as the Lethbridge Sketch Club in 1936. Several dedicated artists wanting to collaborate on their shared interests and teach others the joy of creating art. Many of those artists were taught by or inspired by Miss Edith Kirk, a British artist and art teacher who lived in Lethbridge from the late circa 1917-19 until she passed away in 1953. Scholarships provided artists the opportunity to attend the newly established Banff School of Fine Arts and/or its local extension classes. There they studied with artist of national and international reputations such as A. Y. Jackson, A. C. Leighton, H. G. Glyde, and W. J. Phillips, to name only a few. Landscape and wildlife flower artist, Annora Brown of Fort Macleod was often a guest of the club.

Faces of Significance runs May 7 to October 2 in the Galt’s Main Hallway gallery. Admission fees apply. Reception August 11. Exhibition featuring the life and art of Annora Brown will run from June 11 to September 5.